Long term prognosis and quality of life after intensive care for blood cancer complications
Author Information
Author(s): E. Yaul, A.Z.S. Rohatiner, T.A. Lister, C.J. Hinds
Primary Institution: St Bartholomew's Hospital
Hypothesis
What is the long term outcome and quality of life for patients discharged from intensive care after life-threatening complications of haematological malignancy?
Conclusion
Despite high hospital mortality rates, a significant number of patients with haematological malignancy can survive intensive care and maintain a good quality of life.
Supporting Evidence
- 77% of patients died in the hospital, but 23% survived.
- The median duration of survival for those who survived was 23 months.
- Six of the seven long-term survivors reported a good quality of life.
- All seven survivors would be willing to undergo intensive care again.
Takeaway
Even though many patients with blood cancer die in the hospital, some can survive and live well after intensive care.
Methodology
The study reviewed records of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit for life-threatening complications of haematological malignancy over a 10-year period and assessed quality of life in long-term survivors using validated questionnaires.
Limitations
The study only assessed patients who survived more than one year after discharge, potentially missing data on those who did not survive.
Participant Demographics
58 male and 34 female patients were included in the study.
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